This summer, from June to August, I had the chance to intern at PwC in the Tax Department, and honestly, it was an eye-opening experience. As an Accounting with Finance student at the University of Aberdeen in Qatar, I thought I had a general idea of what accounting looked like in the real world, but the reality was far richer and more detailed than I expected. The Accounting and Finance programme at AFG College with the University of Aberdeen has supported me throughout this journey, preparing me with the skills and confidence to secure such a great internship.
Most of my work involved intercompany transactions, updating balance sheets, and reconciling bank statements in multiple currencies. At first, all the cross-checking and attention to detail felt a bit overwhelming, but I quickly realized how crucial it is. Even a small mistake could turn into a big problem later on. I remember one instance where a colleague noticed a small amount of dollars missing, and the team spent the entire day tracking down what had happened. It really showed me that if it can happen with a small amount, it can just as easily happen with a large one, and that every detail matters. I really enjoyed working on intercompany transactions and balance sheet updates because it felt like I was applying the knowledge from my classes directly to real-life scenarios. Seeing how the numbers fit together and understanding the bigger financial picture was incredibly rewarding.
The internship also helped me grow personally. I was a bit shy to ask questions at first, worrying they might sound obvious, but I quickly realized that asking questions is the only way to learn and truly understand the work. Pushing myself to speak up not only helped me gain clarity but also made me more confident in communicating with colleagues. Speaking of colleagues, the work environment was friendly and welcoming. Everyone was approachable and supportive, even though they were often busy, which taught me to be patient, proactive, and independent when figuring things out on my own.
One of the biggest lessons I took away from this internship was just how much cross-checking and detail-oriented work goes into accounting and tax. Every entry, conversion, and reconciliation matters. I also improved my Excel skills and communication abilities significantly, and I gained a clearer picture of what a career in accounting and tax could look like, helping me think more seriously about my future.
For students preparing to enter the professional world, my advice is simple: try to do as many internships as you can before graduation. Accounting and finance cover so many areas, and the only way to figure out which path suits you best is by experiencing it firsthand. Internships give you a head start, help you build valuable skills, and let you explore where your interests truly lie.
If I had to sum up my internship in three words, they’d be: insightful, impactful, enriching. This experience wasn’t just about learning technical skills, it was about understanding the realities of professional life, making connections, and discovering how to navigate challenges while growing both personally and professionally.
